^  '     i 


The  National  Currency,  and  on  the 
Repeal  of  the  Specific  Contract 
Act  of  the  State  of  California, 


By 


David 


Cheesman 


n: 


I 


V 

The  National  Currency, 


AND  ON   TIIK 


Repeal    of    the    Specific    Contract     Act 

OK  TIIK  STATI',  OK  CAMKOUNIA. 


ItTOTES 


EXTEMPOK A XEOUS  ADDRESS 


HON.  D.  W.  CHEESMAN, 

Assistant  Treasurer  U.  S.  at  San  Francisco, 


BKl-'ORK  TIIK 


Members  of  tiie  California  State  Legislature  and  others, 

AT  TIIp; 

Assembly  Chamber  at  Sacramento,  Cal. 
ON  THE  EVENING  OF  FEBRUARY  8,  1864. 


[J'/iijiioi/rdji/iird/fi/  h'c/xjrfrd  /j)/  Mars/t  d-  /loiriiKiii.] 


AVASHlN(iT<>N  : 

.iri>n  A-  DETWKILKR.  IMUNTKKS. 

18<)1». 


fwwwmwwmmwwm^ww* 


The  National  Currency, 


AND  ON   THK 


jR-EPEAL     OF     THE     SPECIFIC      CONTRACT       ACT 
OF  THE  STATP:  of  CALIFORNIA. 

OF    AN 

EXTEMPORA  XP:OUS  A  DDR  ESS 

KY 

HON.  D.  W.  CHEESMAN, 

Assistant  Treasurer  U.  S.  at  San  Francisco, 


BEFORE  THE 


Members  of  the  California  State  Legislature  and  others, 

AT  THE 

Assembly  Chamber  at  Sacramentto,  Cal. 
ON  THE  EVENING  OF  FEBRUARY  8,  1S64. 


\_Ph(»i<)fjr(ipliicaUij  Bcporfcd  hi/  Marxh  &•  BownKni.] 


WASHINGTON  : 
JUDD  &  DETWEILER,  PRIJJTERS. 

1869. 


-H 


ADDRESS. 


Mr.  Cheesman    liMvinu'  bfcn   iiitiodiiccd   hy   Ex-Governor 
Stanford,  said  : 

Mr.  President,  (lentlonien  of  the  Leoislature,  and  Citizens  of 
Sacramento:  On  the   11th  of  Febrnary,  18G1,  three  years  ago, 
Abraham  Lincoln,  President  elect  of  theUnited  States  of  America, 
'  as  he  was  biddinii:  adieu  to  his  neio^hbors  and  iViends  at  the  rail- 
road depot  of  Springfield,  Illinois,  implored  the  Divine  blessing 
and  the  prayers  of  his  fellow-men  upon  the  journey  he  was  about 
to  undertake,  and  the  course  he  was  about  to  pursue,  in  deference 
to  the  wishes  of  the  American  peojjle,  as  expressed  at  the  elec- 
•gtions  that  had  then  been  reccntlv  held.     He  there  commenced  a 
^journey,  and  an  e[)()eh  was  inaugurated,  which,  in  its  results, 
?-^eombined  more  im])ortani'e  and  involved  greater  responsibilities 
S  than  any  other  man  had  ever  before  assumed  since  the  first  morn- 
Zj  ing  of  Time.     He  had  been  called  to  preside  over  a  nation 
5  founded  in  177G,  and  which,  from  that  time,  with  a  few  unim- 
a  portant  exceptions,  had  enjoyed  profound  i)cace  and  (juietude 
within  its  borders,  but  which  was  theji  beginning  to  be  disturbed 
through  the  agency,  to  a  certain  extent,  of  a  pernicious  doctrine, 
•pronudgated  at  Charleston,  S.  C,  in  1832,  and  which  had  gone 
on  jjatherino;  and  increasinjj;  in   intensitv  and  violence  until   in 
the  early  spring  of  the  year  l.SGl  the  dark  el(»ud  whieh  lowered 
over  our  once  happy  country  was  ready  to^  burst  with  all   the 
violence  and  vehemence  of  a  troi)ical  storm.     Unman  passions 
had  become  aroused  by  traitors,  and  treason  had  commenced  its 
diabolical  Avork.     The  heresies  of  nullification  initiated  by  John 
C.  Calhoun  had  poisoned  the  southern  mind,  "  fired  the  southern 
heart,"  and  culminated  eventually  in  the  outburst  of  a  gigantic 
rebellion.     Mr.  Lincoln  was  by  no  means  insensible  to  the  jjcrils 
of  the  nation,  nor  to  the  responsibilities  he  was  about  to  assume. 

.'50652? 


It  was  my  privilege,  fellow-citizens,  a  few  days  subsequently  to 
be  present  at  his  inauguration,  at  Washingtolf,  D.  C,  There  was 
present  beside  him  Stephen  A.  Douglas,  and  other  good  men 
and  true ;  some  who  had  supported  and  some  who  had  opposed 
him,  but  who  now  laid  all  their  prejudices  upon  the  altar  of 
patriotism,  and  stood  by  his  side  while  he  took  the  oath  of  office, 
and  swore  tp  support,  protect,  and  defend  the  Constitution  of 
the  United  States ;  and  thus,  as  Edmund  Burke  eloquently  ex- 
presses the  thought,  gave  a  guaranty  "that when  bad  men  unite 
to  overturn  the  Commonwealth  it  becomes  all  good  men  to  unite 
in  its  preservation." 

The  great  question  at  that  time,  should  war  ensue,  should  the 
southern  nullifiers  and  traitors  precipitate  a  bloody,  civil  strife, 
was  not  so  much  whether  w^e  had  armies  willing  to  defend  the 
temple  of  liberty,  as  whether  our  financial  condition  was  such 
that  we  could  stand  a  war  to  suppress  and  overwhelm  a  tremen- 
dous rebellion. 

Men  of  experience  in  all  parts  of  the  country  declared  that 
they  did  not  doubt  for  a  moment  that  we  had  sufficient  men. 
The  patriotic  masses  everywhere  stood  by  their  country,  l)ut  the 
question  of  finance,  the  question  how  to  raise  the  money  for  the 
support  of  the  vast  armies  about  to  be  called  into  existence,  was 
a  question  that  could  not  be  readily  solved.  I  was  informed 
that  President  Lincoln  had  extended  the  courtesy  to  a  large 
number,  if  not  all,  of  the  gentlemen  who  had  been  prominent 
candidates  for  the  Presidency  before  the  Chicago  convention,  to 
accept  of  seats  in  his  cabinet,  among  others  to  William  H.  Sew- 
ard, Simon  Cameron,  John  C.  Fremont,  Edmund  Bates,  and 
Salmon  P.  Chase.  The  question  arose  whether  Pennsylvania 
should  have  the  honor  of  the  Secretaryship  of  the  Treasury  or 
whether  it  should  devolve  upon  the  State  of  Ohio.  In  my 
humble  opinion,  fellow-citizens.  Providence  decided  that  ques- 
tion in  our  favor  in  the  choice  of  that  illustrious  statesman,  Sal- 
mon P.  Chase,  of  Ohio.     [Applause  and  cheers.] 

Various  propositions  were  submitted  to  Mr.  Lincoln  to  meet 
the  exigencies  of  the  occasion.  Among  them,  a  proposition  to 
call   out   half  a  milliou  of  men   at  once,  but  the  question  very 


naturally  recurred,  "  wlicre  is  the  money  to  |)ay  sueli  an  ai'inV.'" 
''where  is  the  money  to  sup|)ly  arms  and  aminnnition,  and  all 
tlic  material  ofwar  indispensable  to  carry  on  so  groat  a  strujigle 
to  a  sueeessi'ul  termination?"  JJear  in  mind,  gentlemen,  that 
Mr,  fjineoln  had  heen  compelled  to  assume,  as  one  of  the  lega- 
cies of  the  outgoing  administration,  a  debt,  unfunded  and  un])ro- 
vided  for,  of  above  one  hundred  millions  of  dollars,*and  it  had 
been  found  diilicult  to  negotiate  a  temporary  loan  at  the  extra- 
vagant rate  of  twelve  per  centum  per  annum  in  gold.  The  at- 
tention of  the  Hon.  Secretary  of  the  Treasury  and  of  Congress 
had  necessarily  been  direett'd  to  the  financial  condition  of  the 
country.  Already  England  had  thundered  forth — as  you  well 
remcnd)er — through  the  columns  of  the  London  Ti men, '"  ilini 
ungenerous  and  uncalled  for  declaration,  that  struggling  repub- 
licanism upon  this  continent  need  not  expect  from  her  the  assist- 
ance of  a  dollar,  although  we  were  twenty  millions  strong,  and 
had  pledged  ourselves  to  crush  out  this  monstrous  rebellion,  yet 
England  and  English  capitalists  proclaimed  themselves,  in  ad- 
vance, against  us,  and  Ave  w-ere  told,  in  unmistakably  plain  lan- 
guage, that  Me  could  not  rely  upon  her  financial  aid  in  the  hour 
of  our  extremity  to  the  extent  of  a  single  dollar.  In  this  great 
emergency  the  capacity  of  our  Secretary  of  the  Treasury  proved 
equal  to  the  occasion,  and  the  national  loan  system  was  adoi)tcd, 
a  system  that  had,  in  part,  been  inaugurated  with  such  splendid 
success  by  the  Emperor  of  the  French,  Louis  Napoleon. 

"  The  loan,"  as  our  Republican  Secretary  very  aptly  stated  in 
the  circular  which  he  issued  at  that  time,  "was  placed  in  such 
sums  that  rendered  it  unnecessary  to  depend  solely  upon  the 
banking  capital  of  the  country."  Loans  could  be  made  in  small 
sums,  down  to  fifty  dollars  each,  so  that  the  humblest  citizen 
might  become  a  bondholder,  and  thus  become  identified,  as  it 
were,  with  a  financial  })oliey  inaugurated  to  suppress  the  rebel- 
lion, and  to  save  a  home  for  the  free  to  generations  yet  unborn. 
On  the  25th  of  February,  18G2,  the  present  law  passed  Con- 
gress, and  was  approved  by  tJie  President,  making  "a  legal 
tender"  of  what  are  familiarly  known  throughout  the  country, 
and   sneered  at   in   s(tme  ])laces,   as  "greenbacks."     Thus  was 


0 

initiated  the  financial  measure  wliieli  it  ivas  tliouglit  would  sup^ 
ply  all  the  wants  and  necessities  of  the  Government,  arid  pro- 
mote the  salvation  of  the  country  in  its  dire  emergency. 

Now,  gentlemen,  as  Californians,  let  us  loolc  for  a  moment  at 
this  question  in  its  true  light. 

When  that  act  was  being  considered  by  Congress  we  had 
three  worthy  and  honorable  gentlemen  representing  ns  in  the 
lower  house  of  our  national  councils,  JNIr.  Phelps,  IMr.  Sargent, 
and  our  present  Governor,  Mr.  Low.  We  also  had  in  the 
Senate  Mr.  Latham  and  IMr.  ]\IcDougall.  From  Oregon,  there 
were  Mr.  Nesmith,  in  the  Senate,  and  Mr.  Shiel,  in  the  House. 
And  now  observe,  while  that  bill  was  nnder  consideration  which 
was  to  provide  a  currency,  and  which  currency  v/as  to  be  a  legal 
tender  for  all  debts,  dues,  and  obligations  of  the  General  Gov- 
ernment, except  duties  upon  imports,  and  while  these  gentle- 
men knew  that  they  represented  a  constituency  who  gloried  iti 
the  fact  that  they  had  nothing  but  gold  and  silver  as  a  currency, 
was  there  a  voice  raised  in  opposition  to  the  clause  which  pro- 
vided that  these  legal  tender  notes  should  he  accepted  in  satisfac- 
tion for  all  taxes,  debts,  dues,  and  ohligcdions  of  the  Government, 
except  duties  upon  imports?  Not  one!  Now,  the  first  four 
named  gentlemen  even  voted  for  the  measure.  If  that  measure 
were  fraught,  as  is  pretended  by  some,  with  so  mncli  of  injury 
to  us ;  if  they  saw  that  the  people  Mere  not  prepared  for  that 
currency  ;  if  they  saw  or  apprehended  the  people  of  California 
would  be  opposed  to  a  paper  currency,  why,  I  ask,  did  they  not 
proclaim  to  Congress  and  to  the  country,  that  the  people  of  Ca- 
lifornia, of  Oregon,  and  the  Territories  west  of  the  Rocky 
Mountains,  who  boast  of  their  gold  and  silver  currency,  were 
opposed  to  it,  and  that  such  an  act  would  meet  with  opposition? 
No  such  proclamation  was  made.  Those  gentlemen  did  not  op- 
pose the  measure,  but  on  the  contrary,  recorded  their  votes  in 
favor  of  the  act  of  20t]i  February,  1862,  by  which  greenbacks 
became  legal  tenders.  They  also  made  a  provision  by  which  no 
coin  could  be  paid  out  by  the  disbursing  officers  of  the  Govern- 
ment, unless  received  from  otlier  sources  than  duties  on  imports. 


with  tilt'  fxce])litin  oi' interest  u\)im  the  [iiihiic  debt, and  tlio  d(i)t 
itself.     Here  is  (he  act,  so  far  as  it  I'clatcs  to  the  subjeet: 

"Skc.  .').  Ami  h(  il  /hi-Hk  r  cnac/cf?,  That  all  duties  on  inii)()rted 
•^oods  sluill  1)0  jKiid  ill  coin,  or  in  notes  payable  on  demand,  hereto- 
fore authorized  to  be  issued  and  by  law  reeeivable  in  i)aynient  of 
public  dues,  and  (he  coin  so  paid  sllall  I)e  set  apart  as  a  spe('ial  fund, 
and  shall  be  applied  as  follows  : 

"First.  To  the  ])ayinent  in  coin  of  Ihe  interest  on  Ihe  bonds  and 
notes  of  the  Unitetl  States. 

"Second.  To  tlie  ])urchase  or  jiaynient  of  one  per  centum  of  the 
entire  debt  of  the  United  States,  to  ))e  made  witliin  each  liscal  year 
after  the  lirst  day  of  July,  eighteen  hundred  and  sixty-two,  which 
is  to  be  set  ai)art  as  a  sinking  fund,  and  the  interest  of  which  shall 
in  like  manner  be  ai)))lied  to  the  purchase  or  payment  of  the  pulilic 
debt,  as  the  Secretary  of  the  Treasury  shall  from  time  to  time  direct. 

"  Third.  The  resi(Uie  thereof  to  be  paid  into  the  Treasury  of  the 
United  States." 

Under  this  act  all  the  coin  received  at  the  custom-house  in 
San  Francisco  and  elsewhere  iii  the  United  States,  from  duties 
on  imports,  is  entirely  appropriated  to  the  purposes  above  stated. 

Not  one  dollar  of  it  can  be  paid  to  the  soldiers  or  sailors  or 
cniployds  of  the  Government,  nor  for  any  military  or  other  jiur-  , 
pose,  with  the  exceptions  already  stated ;  payments,  therefore,  tipon 
the  part  of  the  General  Government  must  be  made  in  legal-tender 
notes;  yes,  in  "greenbacks,''  Aside  from  the  coinage  charges 
in  the  United  States  branch  mint  in  San  Francisco,  v.liich  is 
paid  into  the  general  treastirv  in  coin,  and  amounts  to  aljout 
^288,000  per  annimi,  there  has  not  been  paid  into  the  office  of 
the  Assistant  Treiwrtirer  of  the  United  States,  in  San  Francisco, 
notwithstanding  the  many  millions  of  dollars  paid  into  it  on 
account  of  internal  revenue  and  other  sources,  aside  from  duties 
on  imports,  and  the  "  coinage  charges"  before  alluded  to,  during 
the  past  two  years,  the  sum  of  §30,000  in  coin,  although  it  is 
said  to  be  very  dishonorable  not  to  meet  all  our  obligations  in 
coin,  yet  in  payment  of  our  indel)t(dness  to  the  General  Gov- 
ernment it  is  not  considered  dishonorable  to  tahc  advantage  of 
the  legal-tender  act.  Even  the  great  State  of  California,  through 
her  financial  servant,  the  State  treasurer,  purchases  the  much- 
reviled  "  greenbacks"  of  the  Shylocks  of  San  Francisco  to  meet 
California's  quota  of  the  direct  tax,  which  should  iiave  been 


paid  in  coin,  as  it  was  collected  from  the  people  in  coin,  for  that 
express  purpose. 

Now,  at  this  very  time,  while  yon  are  protesting,  yes,  publicly 
protesting,  against  the  introduction  of  legal  tender  notes  and 
doing  all  you  can  to  weaken  the  power  of  the  Government  and 
strengthen  that  of  the  traitors  in  rebellion,  that  Government, 
during  the  past  six  months,  has  expended  over  five  hundred 
thousand  dollars  for  the  expenses  of  the  army  in  San  Francisco 
alone,  and  it  is  asked  to  expend  no  less  a  sum  than  one  million 
of  dollars  in  building  a  branch  mint,  and  I  hope  it  will  do  so. 
I  hope  it  will  build  a  mint  in  the  city  of  San  Francisco,  equal  to 
any  in  the  world,  one  that  will  reflect  credit  upon  the  Govern- 
ment and  the  State  a  hundred  years  hence ;  a  mint  where  all 
your  gold  and  silver  and  precious  metals  generally,  may  be  re- 
duced and  coined  into  American  coin.  You  say  you  do  not 
Avant  "greenbacks."  I  say  avc  <:?o  want  them;  if  for  nothing 
else,  to  build  that  mint.  We  want  them,  also,  to  raise  that 
monitor  which  Avas  sent  out  by  the  Government  for  the  defence 
of  our  coast,  and  which  noAv  lies  sunk  out  of  sight  in  the  harbor 
of  San  Francisco.  But  contractors  are  ready  for  a  hundred  and 
fifty  thousand  dollars  of  those  reviled  "greenbacks"  to  raise  her, 
and  put  her  into  useful  condition.  While  your  brothers  and 
sons  are  in  the  field  manfully  doing  battle  against  the  common 
enemy,  iaking  their  pay  in  greenbacks,  and  remitting  them  to 
their  wives  and  families  to  sustain  them,  you  are  opposing  the 
Government,  throwing  doubt  upon  its  solvency,  and  repudiating 
its  currency,  doing  it  a  greater  injury,  possibly,  than  you  could 
by  openly  taking  up  arms  against  it.  I  say  Ave  do  want  "  green- 
backs." I  received  a  million  dollars  worth  of  them  per  last 
steamer,  and  a  portion  of  that  million  Avill  go  to  resurrect  the 
sunken  monitor  "  Camanche,"  that  may  some  of  these  days  be 
wanted  to  defend  our  coast. 

To  meet  its  obligations,  the  Government  has  been  compelled 
to  send  currency  here,  and  during  the  past  yedrl  have  disbursed 
an  account  of  the  War  and  the  Navy  Departments  millions  of 
dollars.  Now  in  view  of  these  facts  I  ask  you,  gentlemen,  is  it 
right  for  you  to  find  fault  with  the  General  Government  for 


9 

introducing  ^Tcen'oacks  Jiere  ;  i,'^  it  right  to  say  you  want  them 
not,  and  wi}!  not  receive  them? — 

A  Voice.  Yes — 

Mr.  CllEESMAX.  That  you  never  asked  to  liave  tliein  sent 
liere?  I  say  our  members  of  Congress  advocated  the  measure 
and  thus  bound  us  in  good  faith,  if  from  no  other  motive,  to 
receive  them  as  currency,  and  did  not  attempt  to  protect  any 
portion  of  the  Pacific  coast  against  the  introduction  of  greenbacks. 
^  A  Voice.  "  We  don't  want  them."  [Hisses  and  some  con- 
fusion.] 

Mr.  Wijjox,  [member  of  the  Assembly.]  ''Will  some  gentle- 
man be  kind  enough  to  knock  that  fellow  down."     [Applause.] 

The  President.  Order,  gentlemen,  order.  [Cries:  "Put  him 
out."] 

^Ir.  Cheesmax.  No,  no,  gentlemen  ;  don't  "  hang  him  I "  doji't 
"  crucify  him  !!"  *  [Applause  and  laughter.] 

It  is  said  this  is  a  coin  producing  State,  that  we  are  digging- 
out  of  our  mines  gold  and  silver.  True,  but  by  what  authority 
and  by  consent  of  what  power  have  we  been  permitted,  since 
1848,  to  work  the  mines  not  only  of  California  but  of  the  other 
portions  of  the  Pacific  coast,  and  thus  become  a  coin  producing 
State  and  people.  The  mines,  felloM-eitizens,  are  public  prop- 
erty, belonging  to  the  loyal  people  of  the  United  States,  who 
have  an  equal  interest  with  us;  and  if  we,  the  people  of  the 
Pacific  coast,  have  an  undue  advantage,  or  any  advantage,  over 
the  people  of  the  Atlantic  coast,  that  privilege  or  advantage  has 
been  granted  us  by  thennl)ounded  liberality  of  the  General  Gov- 
ernment. [Applause.] 

The  Government  has  not  only  allowed  you  to  go  and  delve  in 
the  mines,  but  has  left  thein  wholly  and  entirely  free  to  all — 
yes,  to  all;  has  allowed  us  to  derive  all  the  incidental  and  other 
advantages  resulting  from  such  liberality,  yet  with  all  this  lib- 
erality hov.-  much  have  we  been  really  benefitted  by  our  wonder- 
fully rich  mines  of  gold  and  silver?  How  much  of  our  precious 
metals  have  we  retained  ?  Even  thoughwe  are  a  coin  producing 


^"  See  report  of  Piatt's  Hall  disturbance. 


10 

State,  liow  mucli  actual  capital  have  we  retained  from  the  vast 
sums  extracted  from  our  mines?  Since  1849  thcFC  has  been 
shipped  as  per  manifest,  from  San  Francisco  no  less  a  sum  than 
$637,000,000,  not  taking  into  account  the  vast  sums  carried  away 
by  individuals.  Of  that  $637,000,000  you  had  an  opportunit}'  of 
retaining  tlie  sum  of  $172,000,000,  the  amount  of  coinage  at 
the  mint  since  its  cstaljlishment  in  San  Francisco  in  1854,  which 
includes  reiined  bars  and  bullion.  Thus  $400,000,000  have  gone 
from  you  forever,  and  from  whicli  you  have  derived  incidental 
advantage  only.  It  has  gone !  Every  silver  bar,  every  golden  bar, 
every  ounce  of  dust  shipped  to  foreign  countries  has  been  lost  to 
you  forever.  It  were  better,  perhaps,  that  those  $400,000,000 
were  lying  slumbering  in  your  snow-capped  sierras,  for  the  future 
would  have  developed  it  more  advantageously  to  you.  [Applause.] 

"  Not  want  greenbacks" — I  say  we  do  want  them,  not  only 
to  build  our  mint,  to  raise  our  .-unkcn  niduitor,  to  pay  our  army 
and  navy  expenditures,  but  wc  want  immense  sums  to  protect 
this  vast  Pacific  coast  by  fortiiications  of  tjie  most  impregnable 
character.  And  do  you  thiidv  the  Government  will  submit  to  a 
depreciation  of  40  or  50  per  cent,  on  its  currency  to  buy  gold  to 
do  all  this  ?  Can  we  expect  the  Government  to  manifest  a  liberal 
spirit  towards  us  if  we  do  not  reciprocate  that  s])irit  ?  Aside 
from  the  fortifications  in  the  harbor  of  San  Francisco,  the  whole 
Pacific  coast  is  in  a  lamentably  defenceless  condition.  Plow  is 
it  at  San  Diego,  one  of  the  finest  harbors  on  this  coast?  The 
honorable  memlier  from  San  Diego  is  too  well  aware  of  its  de- 
fenceless state.  The  people  there  could  not  repel  an  attack 
from  the  Alabama,  no,  not  even  the  little  Chapman.  It  needs 
an  ex])enditure  of  at  least  ten  millions  of  dollars  to  make  San 
Diego,  San  Pedro,  and  Monterey  safe  from  the  attacks  of  lurk- 
ing treason,  which  may  at  any  moment  burst  upon  us,  and  wrest 
from  us  those  portions  of  our  State,  and  which  not  long  since 
were  coveted  by  the  slaveholders,  A\ho  sought  to  desecrate  it  with 
servile  labor.     [Applause.] 

General  Ord  directed  the  attention  of  the  War  Department  to 
the  defenceless  condition  of  the  harbor  of  Monterey  during  the 
admiuistratjoj)  of  Mr.  Buchanan,  but  the  "^loi'TOon  war"  hacl 


11 

exliau.stuil  hi.s  c'xclii'(jiicr.  [  ApplaiiM'.J  Ai  |)ri.--<'iit  an  ciiciii} 
might  land  at  ^Nfontercy  ami  lioM  the  mountain  fastnesses  south 
of  San  Francisco,  and  cons((juontl\  all  ilic  sdntlicrn  portion  of 
this  State,  and  with  a  few  vessels  upon  oui-  (Mjast  drive  all  our 
commerce  from  our  (Jolden  (Jatc.  A\'here,  then,  would  S;in 
Francisco  be?  Imploring-  the  General  (iovernment  to  >end  a 
few  more  greenbacks  to  Assistant  Treasurer  C'heesnian.  [Ap- 
plause, and  a  lew  liisses.] 

Already  greenbacks  have  buili  the  oulv  proti'ctiou  lo  tlie 
mouth  of  the  Columbia  river,  though  that  work  is  yet  in  an 
untinished  condition.  0])j)osite  the  British  possessions,  on  the 
north,  we  havi'  no  toi'titieations.  The  city  of  A'ictoria  is  a 
foreign  seaport.  Large  appro])riations  should  be  nunle  for  the 
protection  of  our  country  and  commerce  there.  In  the  event  of 
a  foreign  war  v^lcatraz  and  Fort  Point,  in  the  harbor  of  San 
Francisco,  arc  the  only  fortifications  in  an  extent  of  fifteen 
hundred  miles.  Napoleon,  with  the  astuteness  peculiar  to  the 
Iiona])arte  family,  is  fully  aware  of  the  value  and  great  import- 
ance of  our  Pacific  possessions.  He  has  already  sent  his  inyi-- 
midons  to  seize  and  hold  a  sister  Ke])ublic  witii  the  iron  grasp 
of  a  despot,  and  we  are  not  far  distant  from  the  scene  of  their 
operations.  The  General  Governmeiiv  stantls  ready  to  care  for 
us  all  the  time,  for  they  well  know  tlu!  value  of  these  .Pacific 
possessions.  General  Banks,  the  ni(5ehanic,  the  true  mechanic, 
was  sent  to  the  southwest  to  guard  the  Texas  frontier,  and  check- 
mate this  design  of  Xapoleon.  He  was  sent  there  to  prevent 
France  from  seizing  Texas.  If  ever  a  favorable  moment  had 
arrived,  if  our  armies  had  been  beaten  bai'k,  if  Gettysburg  had 
not  proved  a  failure  for  the  rebel-,  if  Lee's  army  liad  not  been 
defeated  there  ])y  those  illustrious  men  who  fought  and  fell  upon 
that  bloody  field,  Texas  would  have  been  seized,  and  these  l\i- 
cific  possessions  would  have  been  threatened  by  the  traitors  who 
had  been  immio-ratino;  in  considerable  numbers  to  the  northern 
portions  of  Mexico.  They  leave  us  quietly,  mysteriously  and 
unannounced.  Their  programme  was  to  take  tlie  Chapman  out 
to  sea,  put  their  friends  on  board  tl)e  Oregon,  and  as  soon  as  she 
had  got  outside  the  harbor  <eize  her,  as  the  steamer  Cliesapeake 


12 

was  seized  by  traitors  on  board,  and  then  where  would  have 
been  the  commerce  of  San  Francisco?  Even  "greenbacks" 
would  not  then  have  saved  it.  Fellow-citizens,  if  anything  is 
to  be  done  by  California  now  is  the  tim'e.  These  are  matters 
that  should  receive  serious  consideration,  and  instead  of  being 
engaged  in  that  consideration  and  assisting  to  the  utmost  of  our 
powers  to  help  the  Government  in  its  emergency  in  carrying  on 
these  important  operations,  we  are  depreciating  its  currency  and 
denouncing  its  "  greenbacks."     [Applause.] 

California  is  fast  becoming  of  only  secondary  importance  in 
respect  to  mineral  wealth.  Our  sister  Nevada  sent  to  the  mint 
during  tjlie  past  fiscal  year  five  hundred  thousand  ounces  of  silver 
ore,  more  by  half  than  California  and  all  our  Pacific  possessions, 
with  Mexico  thrown  in.  Talk  about  California  being  ahead! 
Wake  up  and  take  a  view  from  the  stand  point  of  a  Federal 
official,  and  you  will  see  adjacent  territories  outstripping  you 
already;  depleting  you  of  your  active  population,  of  which  Cali- 
fornia has  in  the  past  been  so  proud. 

As  I  before  stated  we  want  a  new  mint  at  San  Francisco.  All 
things  considered  it  has  the  best  location  of  any  city  on  the  globe. 
It  is  equidistant  from  the  Asiastic  countries  with  the  marts  of 
the  east.  It  has  the  largest  and  finest  harbor  upon  this  coast  of 
10,000  miles  in  extent.  Complete  your  railroads  and  you  will 
be  within  a  week's  time  from  your  friends  on  the  Atlantic  sea- 
board. Who  can  estimate  the  value  of  the  commercial  operations 
that  will  spring  into  existence  upon  the  completion  of  that  glorious, 
that  gigantic  undertaking?  And  who  can  estimate  the  impor- 
tance of  that  road  to  the  destinies  of  the  world  at  large,  and  yet 
where  will  it  be  without  the  assistance  of  the  General  Govern- 
ment, and  the  much  derided  and  abused  "greenbacks?"  Talk 
about  your  capital  in  California,  go  to  San  Francisco  and  attempt 
to  negotiate  a  loan  of  a  few  hundred  thousand  dollars,  and  what 
do  you  find :  that  you  cannot  get  it  for  less  than  two  per  cent,  a 
month,  and  what  enterprise  will  bear  so  heavy  a  burden  as  that? 
With  such  a  rate  of  interest  I  defy  you  to  build  anything  like 
the  number  of  railroads  that  the  best  interests  of  the  State  impe- 
ratively require.     But  if  you  will  sustain  the  financial  policy  of 


13 

the  (jldVCH'iiincnt  and  coiipci-atc  with  it,  vmi  will  lia\c  all  llic 
capital  necessary  to  clevelo}>  tin.'  ^von(l('r^"nl  resources  of  tlii-  and 
tlic  adjacent  States  and  teiTitories;  you  will  invigorate  the  arm 
of  the  Government,  an'd  treason  will  be  s])eedily  overthrown. 
[Applause.] 

I  desire  to  read  an  extract  from  a  letter  written  by  one  who 
now  honors  the  State  of  California  in  the  United  States  Senate; 
one  with  reference  to  M'hom,  wdiether  he  be  my  friend  or  not,  I 
will  say  publicly,  here  to-iiight,  that  I  am  his  friend,  for  he  is 
the  friend  of  the  Government.     [A  pplanse.] 

WASHlXiiTcjN,  Jan.  i,  18(i-l. 
"  i  iicli)S(.'(l  yuii  will  iind  llic  tir.-si  note  issued  here  of  the  new  na- 
tional eurreney.     It  is  tlie  lirst  of  my  pay  from  our  good  Uncle,  for 
services  yet  to  be  rendered,  the  vakie  of  wliicli  probably  will  always 
remain  a  matter  of  difference  of  opinion.''     [Applause.] 

And  now  comes  the  point  I  wish  to  make  here: 

"It  is,  like  its  class,  without  interest;  and  yet,  by  interest,  will 
bind  this  Union  together  with  hooks  stronger  than  steel,  or  even 
gold."     [Applause.] 

That  is  the  doctrine,  gentlemen.  I  am  his  friend,  for  he  is 
the  friend  of  the  Government.     [Applause.] 

Several  Voices.  Name  him  !  Name  him  ! ! 

Mr.  Cheesmax.  Mr.  Conness,  Hon.  John  Coimess.  [Cheers 
and  applause.] 

Gentlemen :  A  statement  was  made  in  San  Francisco  upon 
which  I  desire  to  make  a  few  remarks:  It  was  stated  that  the 
General  Government  had  issued  orders  that  all  its  emi)loyes, 
soldiers,  and  others  on  the  Pacific  coast,  paid  in  greenbacks, 
should  receive  an  equivalent  to  the  same  sum  in  coin.  [A  YoiCE. 
''  That's  so."  Hisses.]  I  know  that  statement  is  false.  The 
commander  of  the  Department  of  the  Pacific,  General  AYright, 
and  every  officer  and  soldier  under  his  command,  and  every 
Federal  official  on  this  coast  having  a  fixed  salary  receives,  and 
has  received  for  a  year  past,  nothing  but  greenbacks  in  payment 
of  liis  salary  for  his  services,  and  those  at  par.  Your  brothers 
and  friends  who  are  now  in  the  military  service  of  their  country, 


14 

who  are  marching  and  bivouackino;  on  the  plains  and  in  the 
valley  of  the  Rio  Grande — men  who  left  in  the  bloom  of  health 
to  return,  perhaps,  broken  down  witli  the  fatigues  and  trials  in- 
cident to  a  military  cai'eer — men  who  we're  willing  to  resign  the 
comforts  of  home  and  the  society  of  their  loved  and  cherished 
ones — men  who  were  willing  to  surrender  the  aspirations  of  youth 
and  manhood,  perilling  life  and  limb  for  our  common  benefit 
and  honor  are  content  to  receive  greenbacks  for  their  pay,  and 
their  families  are  subsisting  upon  those  greenbacks,  here  in  the 
midst  of  your  gold  producing  State ;  that  I  know  to  be  true. 

A  Voice.  "  What  about  that  drug*  store  ?" 

Mr.  Cheesman.  "  Well,  that  drug  store  was  a  very  good 
place  to  go  into."     [Applause,  yells,  and  hisses.] 

Mr.  W^iLCOX.  Mr.  President,  if  Mr.  Cheesman  will  allow  me 
a  moment,  I  ask  that  the  sergeant-at-arms  be  ^directed  to  put 
those  blackguards  out  who  are  disturbing  our  meeting.  [Cries, 
put  them  out.]  I  will  not  be  insulted  here  by  hired  rowdies 
and  bullies.  I  ask  that  the  sergeant-at-arms  put  them  out,  and 
take  Avhatever  force  he  wants  for  that  purpose  from  this  meet- 
ing.    I  will  be  one  myself  to  help  him  if  he  needs  me. 

[Several  other  gentlemen  tendered  their  services  in  similar 
terms,  but  the  sergeant-at-arms  of  the  Assembly  visited  the  dis- 
orderly locality  unattended,  and  quiet  was  soon  restored.] 

Mr.  CfiEESMAX.  Are  you  surprised,  fellow-citizens?  I  am 
not.  Are  you  surprised  that  hired  bullies  of  monopolists  should 
wish  to  interrupt  this  meeting?     [Applause.] 

Fellow-citizens,  at  a  time  like  this,  when  the  country  is  strug- 
gling with  a  formidable  rebellion,  when  Congress  is  sensitive 
upon  this  subject — when  it  is  informed  that  California  not  only 
declines  to  receive  the  national  currency  at  par,  but  is  framing- 
statutes  to  prevent  its  general  circulation — has  manifested  a  spirit 
of  hostility,  of  opposition,  and  taken  a  forward  step  towards  nul- 
lification, for  that  is  what  it  really  amounts  to — when  it  learns 
that  the  recent  decision  of  our  Supreme  Court ;  upon  what  I 


*  See  report  Piatt's  Hall  flisturbance. 


15 

c(HK'eiv(;  to  ])v  a  iiicri-  (jiiil)lt!(',  law-  it  dnwu  iluit  '' /^mt.s  (ir<  not 
a  dchf,""  au'l  that  tlic  ciirrciu'v  oI'iIk;  countrv  cannot  bo  roci-ivcd 
in  ])a"\'mcnt  ot"  taxes.  At  a  time  lil<e  this,  even  <Jcncra]  A\'right 
and  his  brave  soldiers  are  j)aid  in  a  cnrreney  wliidi  the  ^vcixi 
State  of  California  refuses  to  receive  at  par,  (»r  even  for  their 
taxes  due  the  State,  what,  I  ask,  can  we  ex])cet  our  Senators  and 
Representatives  in  Congress  to  obtain  in  the  M'ay  of  ex[)enditures 
for  the  Pacific  coast  to  protect  us  from  invasion,  to  render  us 
secure  in  our  homes,  to  protect  our  banking  institutions  and  our 
property  generally?  Nothing  whatever.  Let  us  thcu  at  once 
start  upon  a  new  road.  Strike  out  irom  our  records  all  "spe- 
cific contract"  laws;  make  provision  ft)r  the  rceejition  of  green- 
backs for  taxes  and  salaries;  strike  it  from  your  statute  books, 
and  say  we  will  not  oppose  "  legal  tender  notes,"  but  we  will 
sustain  our  Representatives  in  Cougress,  and  give  a  renewed 
pledge  to  our  friends  in  the  field  in  front  of  the  enemy — to  those 
who  fought  at  Gettysburg,  A'^icksburg,  and  Lookout  Alountain, 
who  fought  "the  battle  in  the  clouds,"  and  who  to-day  are 
struggling  with  and  throttling  this  gigantic  reliellion.  [Ap- 
plause.] 

O  Californiaus,  remember  the  struggh'S  and  sacrifices  of  these 
heroic  men.  Go  to  Washington,  and  see  the  long  line  of  am- 
bulances coming  in  from  "the  front,"  from  one  of  those  terrible 
battle-fields,  where  men  of  eciual  courage  and  bravery  have  con- 
tested every  inch  of  groiuid,  aided  by  all  the  infernal  enginery 
of  modern  Avarfare,  and  see  the  thousands  of  maimed,  of 
wounded,  of  dying  men,  and  when  you  see  these  stricken 
heroes  carried  to  the  hospitals  and  their  poor  wives,  sisters, 
mothers,  and  helpless  little  ones  gathering  around  their  hus- 
bands, fathers^  brothers,  or  sons,  Mdio  lie  gasping  out  their 
lives  still  looking  to  and  blessing  with  their  last  breath  the  glo- 
rious flag  of  their  country — the  flag  they  were  dying  to  save — 
will  you  have  the  hardihood  to  say  you  will  not  receive  the  cur- 
rency which  they  were  Milling  to  accept  in  requital  of  their 
great  sacrifices.  O,  Californiaus  :  hn]i])y  in  the  accident  of  your 
situation ;  had  it  not  been  for  the  sagacity  and  tbresight  of  the 
adnjinistration  ;  had  it  not  been  for  that  noble,  glorious,  firm. 


16 

ti'ue,  and  reliable  man,  General  Sumner,  how  different  might 
have  been  your  history,  perhaps,  during  this  struggle.  Sixty 
thousand  stand  of  arms  had  been  mysteriously  sent  to  California 
by  the  traitor  Floyd,  and  Albert  Sidne}'  Johnston  plaeed  in  eom- 
mand  of  this  department;  aye,  already  treason  was  hatching,  the 
programme  was  marked  out;  aid  was  thus  placed  within  reach 
of  the  men  of  the  Pacific  coast  who  stood  ready  to  go  with  the 
south,  or  for  a  Pacific  republic.  General  Sumner  was  sent  to 
relieve  Johnston,  he  told  me  of  his  talcing  command ;  said  he : 
"  I  crossed  over  to  Alcatraz  incognita  and  immediately  waited 
upon  General  Johnston  and  stated  my  purpose  to  relieve  him  of 
his  command.  '  Call  in  an  hour.  General,'  said  Johnston,  '  and 
I  will  give  you  my  answer  ;'  I  replied,  '  not  one  moment  sir;  I 
take  command  this  instant.'"  Treason  did  not  get  tlic  start  of 
General  Sumner,  even  for  one  hour,  and  Alcatraz  and  California 
were  saved  witliout  l:)loodshed  to  the  Union.  [Cheers  and  ap- 
plause.] 

Gentlemen :  It  is  time  California  placed  herself  right  upon  the 
record.  I  am  not  going  to  speak  reflectingly  upon  the  course  of 
any  member  of  this  legislature,  I  desire,  however,  to  present 
these  things  as  they  present  themselves  to  one  who  like  myself 
has  been  styled  *  a  "  cl — d  federal  hireling J^  [Laughter  and  ap- 
plause.] 

Repeal  this  obnoxious  special  contract  act,  recognize  the  laws 
of  Congress  as  the  supreme  law  of  the  land,  receive  the  currency 
of  tbiC  Government  at  par,  invite  capital  and'ca])italists  at  the 
east  and  elsewhere,  to  come  with  their  greenbacks,  and  when  this 
war  ends,  as  it  will  soon  do,  population  Avhich  we  so  nuich  need 
will  come  to  us,  for  everything  invites  it:  a  glorious  climate, 
wonderful  mineral  resources,  extending  north  and  south  a  dis- 
tance of  three  thousand  miles ;  the  grandest  field  for  enterprise 
the  sun  ever  shone  upon.  Do  not  say  to  these  capitalists  :  "  If 
you  come  here  Ave  will  shave  you  forty  or  fifty  per  cent."  Let 
them  come  with  their  property  intact,  and  soon  your  rates  of 
interest  will  be  six  or  seven  per  cent,  per  annum,  instead  of  the 


'•  Sec  Piatt's  Hall  disturbance. 


17 

ruinuiis  rate  of  two  or  three  per  eeiit.  a  iiiouth,  and  ol'teu  not  a 
dollar  to  be  had  at  that.  [Applause.]  Wiiy  id  it  that  your 
mining  popuhition  i.<  seeking  other  countries?  Simply  from  the 
fact  that  the  .surfaee  diggings  in  Califorriia  have  been  worked 
out,  and  the  best  and  richest  of  your  mines  lie  undeveloj)ed.  To 
work  tlicm  snceessfuUy  ea]>ital  is  i-ecpiircd,  but  money  at  two 
jK-r  eent.  a  month  will  not  open  them.  iMining  ditches  have 
been  built  at  eiKirmous  expense,  and  more  are  wanted  in  a  large 
])ortion  of  the  mining  country  of  tliis  State,  but  they  caimot  be 
had  while  money  controls  its  present  extravagant  rate  of  interest. 
Let  capital  come  in  and  send  those  mining  ditches  coursing  along 
the  foot-hills  and  labor  will  tbllow  in  its  wake,  and  happiness 
and  plenty  will  fi)ll(>N\-  in  the  train  «>f  honest  iiMlusfry.  [Ap- 
]dause.] 

C'alitbrnia,  with  all  the  vasi  emigration  that  has  flown  in  upon 
us,  is  scarcely  more  ])opulous  to-day  than  she  was  ten  years  ago. 
All  our  important  towns  in  the  interior,  such  as  Nevada,  Grass 
Valley,  Georgetown,  Marysville,  Orovillc,  Shasta,  and  other 
places  arc  declining  in  population  and  business  energy.  AYhy 
is  this  ?  Is  California  less  capable  of  sustaining  a  mighty  po]>u- 
lation  ?  No !  but  men  cannot  afford  to  pay  the  extravagant 
l>rices  that  have  to  be  paid  for  everything  necessary  to  support 
existence  and  make  life  endurable,  while  nxmey  commands  its 
present  extravagant  rate  of  interest. 

Railroads  are  of  vital  importance  to  us.  It  matters  not 
whether  they  lead  out  of  the  queen  city  of  the  plains  or  by  way 
of  the  city  of  San  Jose,  or  Marysville,  or  Avhether  they  go  out 
by  all  those  routes.  Let  not  local  jealousies  exist.  Build  the 
roads,  dcveloj)  your  resources.  Reach  out  your  hands  to  the 
vast  mineral  and  agricultural  wealth  around  you  and  beyond 
you.  Abraham  Lincoln  requested  me,  at  Springfield,  Illinois, 
to  "say  to  the  people  of  California,  if  I  am  elected  President  of 
the  United  States  I  will  make  the  great  Pacific  railroad  a  leading 
measure  of  my  administration."  That  pledga  has  boon  faithfully 
kept,  and  the  time  is  not  far  distant  when  the  shrill  whistle  of 
the  locomotive  will  be  heard  on  the  summit  of  the  great  Sierras, 
and  California  ^vill   realize  a  [)rogress  that  at   present  she  litth' 


18 

dreams  oi";  but  lier  financial  policy  will  have  to  kecj)  march 
witli  the  current  of  events.  Money,  like  water,  will  find  its 
level,  and  the  principle  that  regulates  finances  at  the  East  will 
regulate  and  control  money  in  San  Fran(.'isco  before  long.  Build 
your  roads,  that  the  timber  of  your  tbrests  may  be  had  to  build 
your  ships  as  cheaply  as  they  can  be  built  anywhere  else,  and 
fence  your  farms  as  well  as  in  othei*  places,  that  pretty  cottages 
and  happy  homes  may  stud  your  soil  as  in  the  sister  States  of 
the  East ;  build  your  roads,  that  the  grain  which  is  yearly  be- 
coming  more  and  more  appreciated,  not  only  in  our  own  country, 
but  in  the  great  grain  marts  of  Europe,  may  be  brought  cheaply 
to  the  seaboard,  and  not  be  consumed  in  expensive  transporta- 
tion. Farmers  caimot  afford  to  i>ay  two  per  cent,  a  month  for 
interest  on  the  n ion ey  necessary  to  cultivate  their  farms;  no 
legitimate  business  will  |>ay  that  amount  for  any  time.  What 
wonder  you  find  fiirms  in  the  condition  they  are  at  present ;  but 
Ift'ing  in  the  Government  currency.  Let  Mr.  Chase's  financial 
system  be  fairly  established,  and  the  farmer,  the  mechanic,  the 
miner,  and  the  merchant,  as  well  as  all  other  classes  in  the  com- 
iuunity,  will  be  able  to  borrow  all  their  necessities  require.  In 
England,  where  the  ])a[)er  money  of  the  country  is  ap])reciated, 
money  is  abundant  at  two  and  three  ])er  cent,  per  annum.  Who 
ridicules  the  paper  money  of  the  Bank  of  England  ?  The  ]japer 
notes  of  that  bank  are  at  a  premium  over  its  gold  and  silver  coin 
everywhere  outside  of  England,  and  so  it  would  be  with  our 
paper  money  if  we  were  true  to  our  own  interests,  and  ])roperly 
appreciate  it.  To  have  others  respect  us  wc  must  res|)ect  om- 
selvcs,  and  to  have  others  respect  our  financial  systems  we  must 
res})ect  them  ourselves.  At  present,  as  soon  as  the  crop  is  reaped 
it  has  to  be  sold,  and  Mdien  the  extravagant  interest  has  been 
]niid  the  farmer  finds  but  comjtaratively  a  very  small  sum  as  the 
reward  of  his  heavy  labors,  and  so  with  all  other  kinds  of  busi- 
ness, interest  eats  np  all  the  jn'ofit  and  men  find,  after  years  of 
patient  industry,  and  enduring  many  [)rivations,  that  they  have 
been  toiling  to  pay  the  greedy  Shylocks  who  insist  upon  havi,ng 
"the  full  measure  of  their  bonds;"  their  "})ound  of  flesh"  is 
two  per  cent,  per  month, 


19 

It  is  said  tluit  California  is  luoiv  prosiK-rous  tliaii  oiher  \n>r- 
tions  of  tlio  Union,  bccanso  her  cnnvncy  is  niciallic  1  do  not 
think  so.  Wliilc  tliis  grcnl  war  is  in  ])rogros.-;  while  a  niillion 
of  active,  able-bodied  men  are  in  the  armies  of  our  eonntrv,  in 
Ohio,  Indiana,  Illinois,  Iowa,  AViseonsin,  Minnesota,  and  all 
the  States,  gi-eonbacks  constitute  the  currency  of  the  country,  are 
accepted  in  payment  of  taxes,  the  salaries  of  judges  and  legisla- 
tors, as  well  as  of  the  niechanie  and  laborer;  those  States,  I  say, 
are  outstri])])ino-  ypu  in  all  that  constitutes  the  essential  elements 
of  prosperity.  In  s]ute  of  a  million  men  being  drawn  I'rom  the 
active  pursuits  of  life;  in  spite  of  a  devastating  war,  and  all 
its  destructive  elements,  their  gnnvtli  has  not  been  retarded  ; 
but,  on  the  contrary,  they  are  achieving  prosperity  with  an 
energy  which  attracts  the  attention  and  elicits  the  admiration  of 
the  whole  civilized  world.     [Applause.] 

Gentlemen,  this  war,  terrible  though  it  be  in  many  aspects, 
Is  eliminating  traits  and  elements  of  character  which  almost 
compensate  for  the  evils  it  inflicts.  The  whole  world  is  watch- 
ing with  the  greatest  interest  the  wonderful  progress  we  are 
making.  We  are  subsisting  the  largest  army  known  to  history 
since  the  days  of  Xerxes.  We  have  a  financial  system  which 
even  Toombs,  traitor  though  he  be,  has  been  forced  to  acknow- 
ledge as  the  wonder  of  the  age.  The  London  T^jk'.s-,  that  sneered 
incessantly  at  our  early  efforts,  sneers  no  longer.  France,  as 
well  as  England,  has  learned  lessons  in  finance  as  weH  as  in 
war  from  us,  and  Russia  alone,  of  these  great  powers,  is  our 
friend,  and  extends  to  us,  in  this  great  calamity,  the  right  hand 
of  fellowship.  England  and  its  mouth-piece,  the  Tima^,  ac- 
knowledge Mr.  Chase's  financial  system  the  greatest  the  world 
has  ever  seen.  It  is  reserved  for  California  to  de])reeate  it,  and 
say,  "  We  do  not  want  greenbacks." 

And  now,  gentlemen,  I  will  call  your  attention  to  another 
subject  in  this  connection,  having  an  important  bearing  on  our 
future.  You  hear  it  whispered  around — a  proposition  for  a 
Pacific  republic.  "  Inaugurate  a  policy  of  hostility  to  the  cur- 
rency of  the  General  Government ;  say  that  gold  and  silver  is 
the  only  money  we  will  have,  and   it  is  a  long  stride  towards 


20 

iuiUificatiuii,  iuul  in  aid  oftlio.se  insiduous  whisperings  of  a  Pa- 
cific republic.  Yoii  may  ask  how?  California  is  a  coin-pro- 
ducing State;  she  is  the  elder  sister  of  the  Pacific  States.  Ore- 
gon, Nevada,  Washington  Territory,  Idaho,  and  Arizona  have 
mines  of  gold  and  silver.  Should  they  also  insist  upoiia  metallic 
currency,  the  time  might  come,  and  that,  too,  at  no  distant 
period,  when  all  these  coin-producing  States  and  Territories, 
their  capital  combined,  might  plot  to  sever  the  Republic;  when, 
what  is  now  secretly  whispered,  might  be  openly  proclaimed, 
and  a  ^'Pacific  Republic"  be  esteemed  the  only  panacea  for  im- 
aginary evils.  You,  my  fellovv-citizens,  may  think  this  impos- 
sible. I  see  grey-haired  men  here;  numbers  of  you  are  seniors 
of  me  in  age.  You  Mere  all,  most  probably,  born  on  the  eastern 
side  of  the  Rocky  Mountains.  We  all  cherish  a  lively  recol- 
lection of  the  hallowed  scenes  of  our  boyhood  ;  the  associations 
and  memories  of  early  years  can  never  be  efiliced  from  our 
hearts.  •  The  man  from  New  England  feels  a  glow  of  pride 
when  the  trials  and  triumphs  of  the  Pilgrim  Fathers  revert  to 
his  mind.  To  him  Plymouth  Rock  is  a  hallowed  spot.  The 
memory  of  that  stern  old  Puritan,  Roger  Williams,  the  great 
champion  of  civil  and  religious  liberty,  is  dear  to  his  heart,  The 
man  from  New  York  is  proud-  of  the  memory  of  the  Knicker- 
bocker and  the  glories  of  New  Amsterdam.  There  are  the 
memories  of  Bunker  Hill,  of  Lexington,  of  Concord,  and  of 
Valley  Forge,  and  thousands  of  other  name^s  and  places  sacred 
to  us  all,  which  bind  us  to  the  fatherland  by  interests  of  a  dif- 
ferent character  from  that  to  which  referred  the  distinguished 
Senator,  which  do  not  bind  us  as  with  "  hooks  of  steel,"  but 
with  the  tenderest  emotions  of  the  heart  to  the  land  which  gave 
us  birth. 

Whence,  I  ask  you,  will  the  rising  generations  derlNC  their 
inspirations  to  bind  them  to  New  England  and  to  all  the  other 
States.  They  will  have  nothing  but  what  their  patriotic  mothers 
may  instill  into  theii'  hearts.  No  old  associations,  no  tender  re- 
collections are  theirs.  Tlie  insidious  teaclrings  of  designing 
demagogues  may  induce  them  to  believe  that  the  government  of 
their  fathers  is  a  despotism ;  that  the  currency  of  that  govern- 


21 

iiicnt  is  woitlik'S.s  as  C()iu}>ai-o(l  witli  iliclr  niotullic  cun-ciKn',  and 
that  the  sole  remedy  for  their  imaginary  wrongs  is  to  ho  ioiuid 
in  this  stealthily  whispered  ^' Pdcijlc  licpublic.^^  Then  l*ly- 
montli  Hook,  and  Jinnker  Hill,  and  Monmouth,  and  Lexington 
will  1)0  forgotten,  just  as  toi)  many  of  our  erring  brothers  of  the 
South  have  forgotten  their  loyalty  in  our  day.  (.'onsider  all 
this;  think  and  [)on(lor  over  it  well,  fjot  no  act  of  hostility  to 
the  General  (jlovernmeni  in  the  form  of  specitio  contraots  or 
otherwise  he  as  an  entering-wedge  to  sever  the  political  bonds 
That,  as  a  ])eople,  bind  us  together.  Lot  us  be  equal  to  the  oc- 
casion, and  declare  anew  our  fealty  to  the  Government  of  our 
fathers.  Let  us  show  a  united  front  against  all  the  enemies  of 
our  common  country.  Strengthen  the  power  of  the  Govern- 
ment, and  revoke  and  annul  every  law  from  our  statute  books 
that  in  the  least  degree  conflicts  against  the  ])olicy  and  interest 
of  the  General  Government.  Let  us  sustain  the  financial  jiolicy 
of  the  illustrious  man  at  the  head  of  our  ntitional  affairs.  Lot 
us  strengthen  the  power  of  the  Government  by  every  means  in 
our  po^ver,  and  not  v.ith  ineffablo  contempt  say :  "  We  do  not 
want  greenbacks — wo  will  not  accept  them — give  us  coin." 

Fellow-citizens,  lot  us  remember  that  noble  and  immortal 
declaration  of  the  illustrious  Roman  Senator  Cato,  on  the  death 
of  his  son  :  "  I  did  not  expect  nor  desire  that  my  house  slundd 
prosper  at  a  time  like  this."  How  many  of  you,  how  many  in 
this  State,  exempt  as  we  arc  from  the  horrors  of  civil  ^var,  are 
willing  to  say  thiit  for  the  next  few  years — so  long  as  this  hydra- 
headed  rebellion  shall  last — '•  I  will  spend  all  my  energies  in 
behalf  of  the  Government  of  my  country,  and  the  finger  of  scorn 
shall  not  be  pointed  at  me  as  I  pass,  priy.-Iaiming  that  I,  or  my 
house,  prospered  during  a  calamity  like  this."  Why,  it  occurs 
to  me,  that  the  noble  Carthagcnian  women  show  us  an  example 
we  might  well  profit  by.  If  those  noble  women  would  consent 
to  part  with  the  hair  of  their  heads  to  make  bowstrings  for  their 
valorous  defenders,  surely  we  jnight  make  so  small  a  concession 
as  to  accept  the  currency  of  our  Government  while  it  is  defend- 
ing the  life  of  the  country.  It  has  been  said  to  me  :  ''  You  M-ill  be 
unpopular."     Wliat  do  I  care  about  popularity  ?     l.  never  sought 


22 

it,  other  than  that  resulting  from  honorable  action.  There  are 
periods  when  men  s]ioukl  rise  above  the  ordinary  occasions  of 
life.  You  may  live  cycles  of  centuries  and  yet  not  be  afforded 
another  opportunity  equal  to  the  ])resent  to  display  the  true 
nobility  of  an  American  character.  Millions  of  your  fellow- 
countrymen  have  arisen  to  the  dignity  of  the  occasion ;  shall  it 
be  said  that  California  alone  Mas  recreant;  no,  never !  Even 
Arkansas — benighted  Arkansas — Arkansas,  whose  State  library 
numbered  scarcely  five  hundred  ^'olumes,  comes  out  in  her  ma- 
jesty, and  is  willing  not  only  to  atone  for  the  past,  but  redeem 
herself  beyond  doubt  in  the  future.  As  she  went  out  of  the 
Union  to  protect  her  slaves,  she  will  now  return  to  the  Union  to 
protect  her  whites.  Tennessee,  also,  owing,  in  part,  to  the  noble 
stand  of  those  glorious  Union  men,  Andy  Johnson  and  Parson 
Brownlow,  is  returning  to  her  allegiance;  So  M'ith  North  Ca- 
rolina. 

These  States  have  been  baptised  in  blood,  and  now  stand 
regenerated,  willing  and  ready  to  return  as  the  Prodigal  returned, 
they  are  glad  to  take  greenbacks  and  cast  off  slavary.  Willing 
to  do  more  than  that;  they  are  willing  to  stand  side  by  side 
with  negro  soldiers.  Remember,  fol low-citizens,  that  reconstruc- 
tion is  going  on  at  this  time;  that  light  is  breaking  in  the  South, 
and  that  soon,  as  a  regenerated  people,  they  will  keep  step  to 
the  music  of  the  union  and  the  spirit  of  the  age.  The  colored 
and  despised  race  that  we  have  held  in  bondage,  aid  in  the  pre- 
servation of  our  nationality,  and  that,  too,  with  the  distinct  un- 
derstanding that,  if  taken  prisoners,  there  is  no  quarter  for  them, 
they  are  willing  to  sacrifice  their  lives  for  freedom.  Union,  re- 
generation, and  their  rights.  Now,  is  it  possible  we  cannot 
make  the  small  sacrifice  which  is  expected  at  our  hands  ?  The 
fruitful  valleys  of  our  magnificent  country  will  be  doubly  en- 
deared to  the  hearts  of  the  gallant  and  noble  men  who  are 
offering  themselves  as  a  sacrifice  to  defend  them.  The  historic 
memories  of  the  struggles  of  this  hour  will  be  prized  with  an 
enthusiasm  equal  to  that:  of  the  heroes  of  the  Revolution,  and 
while  all  the  rest  of  the  loyal  portion  of  the  country  is  aglow  with 
patriotic  fervor,  shall  we  alone  survey  the  the  struggle  supinely, 


23 

and  instead  of  fo-opcratiiiu  with  a  ii;<.'norou.s  ontluisiasni,  ling-  onr 
bags  of  gold  to  our  breast,  and  rofnse  vxvu  to  ac('('|»(  tin-  \\u- 
donbtedly  well  seenred  })ledges  of  the  (Joverninent '! 

Gentlemen,  \\liy  lias  no  eilbrt  been  made  to  |)r«)t(.'et  the  ein- 
ronoy  of  the  eonntry'.'  To  jtnnish  those  who  dei>reeiate  or  dis- 
eonnt  it?  Sn})pose  that  to-morrow  you  enact  a  law  similiar  to 
one  I  will  read  you.  It  is  a  law  cjnin(!ntly  Ht  to  I)e  enaeted,  it  is 
this: 

AN   ACT  to  prohibit   the  disloyal  practice  of  (U'i»rcci:itin^'  rnite(l 
States  Treasury  notes. 

yi-:c.  1.  The  United  States  Treasury  issue,  known  as  Uuite<l  States 
legal  tender  notes,  shall  in  this  State  be  a  leL,^al  tender  in  payment 
of  all  debts,  dues,  and  demands  of  every  kind  whatsoever,  any  agree- 
ment or  contract  to  the  contrary  notwithstundinji';  and  any  i)erson 
•  or  persons  who  shall  discount  or  demand  a  discount  on  any  of  the 
notes  herein  referred  to,  or  any  jierson  or  jiersons  who  shall  otter  to 
receive  any  such  note  or  notes  at  less  than  the  denominational  or  face- 
value  thereof,  sludl  be  deemed  miilty  of  :!  misdemc:inor,  :ind  shall 
subject  themselves  to  tlie  pains  and  penalties  thereto  a))pertaining, 
&c. 

What  think  you,  gentlemen,  legislators  of  the  State  of  Cali- 
tbrnia,  about  passing  an  act  of  that  kind?  Would  not  that  cor- 
rect the  evil,  and  is  it  not  due  to  the  Government  and  the  country 
to  do  so?  Is  it  possible,  that  we,  as  Californians, are  unwilling 
to  meet  the  crisis  that  is  upon  us  as  becomes  loyal  Anun-ieans, 
and  nmke  so  small  a  saeriliec  for  so  noble  a  cause?  This  cur- 
renev  which  we  so  flippantly  reject  is  the  currency  of  the  United 
States'",  and  is  accepted  as  pay  by  its  loyal  defenders  in  the  army 
and  navy,  and  a  generous  support  of  the  tinancial  policy  of  the 
eminent  Secretary  of  the  Treasury,  ]Mr.  Chase,  will  save  us  at 
the  close  of  this  terrible  rebellion  from  wide-spread  tinancial 
ruin.  .V  monetary  crisis  was  experienced  after  the  close  of  the 
war  of  the  Revolution,  also,  after  the  war  of  1812,  and  unless  it 
were  for  tlie  -plendid  financial  system  inaugurated  by  Mr.  Chase, 
uj)on  the  close  of  the  ])rcsent  struggle,  financial  ruin  would  stare 
us  in  the  face.  But  when  this  war  is  ended  and  our  misguided 
brothers  of  the  South  shall  "see  the  error  of  their  ways,"  we 
shall  yet  sit  down  under  the  same  vine  and  fig  tree — for  it  is  not 
our  purpose  nor  desire  to  blot  them  out  of  existence,  and  thus 
have  the  bloody  record  of  a  Caligida.     When  wc  shall   have 


24 

pressed  tlieiu  to  the  wall,  let  us  press  them  no  further,  for  thev, 
too  are  Americans.  Patrick  Henry's  ablest  effort  was  in  behalf 
of  the  Tories  of  the  Revolution,  and  s'urely  these  men  are  no 
worse  than  they.  Let  us  be  equally  generous  and  conciliatory- 
When  this  currency  shall  be  the  currency  of  our  common  coun- 
try —  South  as  well  as  North  —  it  will  ba  acknowledged  as 
better  than  ever  they  had  before.  [Applause.]  It  will  permeate 
the  v>'hole  South;  it  will  soon  be  the  recognized  medium  of  ex- 
change from  Key  \Yest  to  the  northeastern  boundary  of  our 
republic.  Now,  let  it  become  one  currency,  fi'om  the  Neversink 
to  the  Golden  Gate;  from  the  pine  clad  hills  of  Maine  to  the 
arid  wastes  of  xVrizona.  Let  us  have  one  country,  one  flag,  one 
currency,  one  united,  great,  patriotic,  loyal  people.     [Applause.]^ 

Ah,  gentlemen,  it  is  your  glorious  privilege  to  cast  a  ballot  in 
behalf  of  your  country,  if  it  be  not  your  privilege  to  tire  a  bullet 
in  its  defence ;  see  to  it  that  your  duty  is  well  performed  and  the 
reward  of  a  grateful  people  shall  greet  you  when  you  return  to 
your  homes  :  "  Well  done  good  and  faithful  servants." 

Gentlemen,  I  do  not  know  whether  I  have  been  sufficiently 
elaborate  to  make  myself  clear  to  you.  I  might  have  brought 
before  you  a  greater  array  of  statistics,  and  have  proved  to  you 
the  solidity  of  the  basis  upon  which  Mr.  Chase  has  founded  his 
magnificent  theory,  and  how  easily  the  country  will  be  able  to 
throw  off  the  burden  in  a  few  years  after  the  termination  of  our 
present  difficulty. 

It  is  my  dut}'  as  well  as  pleasure  to  support  tlic  financial  pol- 
icy of  the  Government,  even  though  I  stand  measurably  solitary 
and  alone  in  its  advocacy  here.  I  am  determined  that  no  mob 
or  hireling  ruffiians  shall  swerve  me  from  the  plain  path  of  duty, 
though  they  may  hang  upon  my  heels  as  they  did  a  few  nights 
since  in  San  Francisco,  shouting  and  yelling,  "crucify  him," 
'"hang  him,"  "hang  the  d-d  Federal  officer;"  "the  hireling,  hang 
liim,  hang  him."  I  implore  you  to-night  to  do  yours  in  a  similar 
spirit.  It  may  be  unpopular  now;  but  remember  however  un- 
po})ular  men  or  measuresinay  Ijc  to-day,  "Time  ever  does  justice 
to  truth."  "The  world  moves,  and  ever  right  conies  uppermost." 
Those  who  may  be  the  subject  of  invective  or  scorn  to-day  for 


the  support  thev  may  yielil  to  the  novernnient  <»t"  our  rotnitry, 
will  not  be  fortiotteu.  In  this  connection  T  will  cite  an  exam- 
ple. You  all  remember,  doubtless,  how  uni)()pular  a  man  was 
Joshua  R.  Giddings ;  yet  he  was  a  man  whom  everybody  rev- 
erenced for  his  strict  probity  and  love  of  justice.  And  now, 
after  all  the  abuse  and  slander  that  had  been  heaped  upon  him 
from  one  end  of  the  land  to  the  other,  at  the  Chicago  Conven- 
tion, where  nuichof  the  talent  and  beauty  of  our  country  were 
assembled,  I  well  remember  when  this  old  grey-haired  man 
walked  in,  his  venerable  face  recognized,  tlfousands  of  hands 
and  voiees  were  raised,  and  ''Giddings!"  "Giddings!"  "Gid- 
dings!" resounded  throughout  the  vast  assembly.  The  princi- 
ples for  which  he  had  sutt'ercd  were  recognized  and  victorious. 
The  time  had  come  when  that  much-reviled  and  slandered 
cause  should  be  triumphant.  So,  gentlemen,  never  fear  nn- 
popularity,  except  as  it  arises  from  the  commission  of  dishonor- 
able action.  T  implore  you  to  support  the  financial  policy  of  the 
Government ;  invite  capitalists,  with  their  greenbacks,  to  your 
glorious  State  ;  extend  th(>  right  hand  of  patriotism  and  good 
fellowship  ;  establish  national  banking  institutions  throughout 
the  length  and  breadth  of  tiie  land,  and  wonderful  will  be  the 
prosperity  that  will  flow  from  this  enlightened  policy.  Cali- 
fornia has  all  the  elements  of  commercial  prosperity.  All  that 
she  needs  to  develop  her  unlimited  resources  is  capital.  There 
is  no  capital  in  the  State.  This  Mr.  Chase's  financial  policy 
will  abundantly  supply.  It  is  left  for  you  to  say  whether  this 
glorious  result  shall  be  achieved,  or  Avhether  distrust,  dismay, 
doubt,  and  disloyalty  shall  cloud  us  with  financial  gloom  and 
national  ruin. 

Thanking  you  for  the  courtesy  you  have  extended  to  mc,  1 
bid  you  good-night. 


■     4 


Appendix. 


The  lolluwin*;-  extracis  tVoin  leadiiii:  papers  in  Calil'uniia -Ikav 
but  importectly  the  nature  and  eharacter  of  the  o])|)osition  to 
the  advocates  of  the  national  eurrency,  and  the  ju'cnliar  eireuni- 
stances  under  Mliich  the  address  at  Sacramento  was  delivered  : 

[Fro)/r  t/i'  ,S(iii  Fraiicisco  Dailn  Mornin;/  Call,  <(>j)]josed  fo  rejjral,) 
Frhruary  5,  18G4.] 

Mass  Mketing  Last  Night. 

Piatt's  Hall  was  never  more  completely  filled  tiian  it  was  last 
night,  upon  the  occasion  of  the  meeting  of  the  mechanics  and  citi- 
zens generally,  for  the  purpose  of  entering  their  protest  against  the 
repeal  of  the  "Specific  Contract  Bill."*  '•  ""  *  - 

The  memorial  and  resolutions  (to,  the  Legislature  opp<jsing  the 
repeal,)  were  then  voted  upon,  when  a  thundering  aye  burst  from 
all  parts  of  the  house.  "  Contrary,  No,"  said  the  President,  and 
half  a  dozen  voices  raised  their  protest.  In  an  instant  a  scene  was 
raised;  the  sea  of  faces  were  turned  towards  the  part  of  the  house 
from  whence  the  voices  had  proceeded,  and  cries  of  "Put  them 
out!"  "  Hang  them  !"  "  Kill  them  !"  and  hisses  were  the  order  for 
a  few  moments.  Mr.  Torry  (tlie  chairman)  came  forward,  and  after 
a  few  moments  succeeded  in  quelling  the  excitement,  when  he 
asked  the  man  who  opposed  the  resolutions  to  shoM-  himself,  where- 
upon Mr.  Cheesman,  United  States  sub-treasurer,  arose  from  his 
seat  in  the  gallery  and  attempted  to  speak.  Again  the  tumult  arose, 
and  for  a  few  moments  the  excitement  was  verj'  great,  but  it  being 
quieted  again,  Mr.  Cook  asked  that  Mr.  Cheesman  be  permitted  to 
speak,  and  he  would  reply  to  him. 

This  seemed  to  be  acquiesced  in  by  the  crowd,  wlio  tuiiied  toward 
Mr.  C.  and  prepared  to  listen  to  him. 

He  began  to  say  that  Californians  were  always  willing  to  luar  all 
that  was  to  be  said  about  any  question  ;  freedom  of  speech  and  free 
discussion  were  traits  peculiar  tf»  them.  He  had  not  time  to  say 
more  before  Mr.  Joseph  Britton  rushed  down  the  stage,  and  in  a 
very  excited  manner  called  upon  the  crowd  to  prevent  Mr.  Chees- 


*  A  measure,  in  effeot,  to  exclude  California  from  tin-  adoption  >,(  tlio  national 
currencj'. 


28 


man  from  speaking,  declaring  that  the  meeting  was  not  called  for 
the  jiurpose  of  discussing  the  question,  but  for  the  purpose  of  issu- 
ing a  counterblast  against  tlie  repeal  of  the  Specific  Contract  bill. 


ICouti nurd  from  Bail)/  Evening  Bulletin^  (o}yposcd  to  repeal]  iiantr 

date.] 

Mr.  Cheesman  said,  still  keeping  his  feet, ' '  the  challenge  was  given 
by  a  gentleman  in  the  hall  this  evening." 

A  voice  in  the  crowd  shouted,  "  that  will  do  for  you,"  sit  down, 
you  hireling,  and  the  storm  of  hisses  and  cat-calls  became  tumult- 
uous ;  some  said  crucify  him,  and  the  milder  ones  shouted,  put  him 
out!  "'  *  "•^"  ■•■  "'■"  *  *  Mr.  Cheesman,  who  was 
still  standing— although  not  still — once  more  commenced  :  Fellow- 
citizen!?'— amid  groans,  hisses,  and  cries  of  "kick  him  out;"  the 
chairman  came  to  the  front  of  the  stage  and  excitedly  said,  gesticu- 
lating violently,  "Mr.  Cheesman,  you  cannot  be  permitted  to  come 
in  here  and  disturb  this  meeting." 

The  band  then  struck  up,  drowning  everthing  else.      *    *    '•'    * 

It  was  plain  to  any  one  familiar  with  public  meetings  and  the 
temper  of  the  crowd,  that  the  end  Avas  not  yet — and  so  the  result 
proved. 

Thk  Sub-Treasurer  in  the   Street. 

The  crowd  poured  out  but  did  not  go  away,  remaining  in  the  street 
outside  to  the  number  probably  of  three  thousand  and  arranging 
themselves  in  the  lobby  of  the  hall  into  a  narrow  gauntlet  which 
any  one  passing  out  would  be  obliged  to  run.  Mr.  Cheesman,  from 
tlie  place  he  occupied  in  the  hall,  was  nearly  the  last  man  out. 

His  apijearance  on  the  stairs  was  the  signal  for  cries  and  jeer^: 
Here  becomes :  How  are  you  greenbacks  !  You're  a  nice  cheese  you 
are !  Put  him  out ! 

Closing  uj)  around  him,  the  crowd  bore  him  up  Montgomery  street 
like  a  feather  in  the  grasj)  of  a  mountain  torrent.  No  violence  was 
offered,  but  an  abundance  was  threatened.  His  friends  surrounded 
him  and  endeavored  to  breast  off  the  pressure,  but  it  was  getting  too 
great  and  affairs  began  to  look  serious,  M'hen  refuge  was  sought  in 
the  drug  store  under  the  Occidental  Hotel.    . 

The  crowd  gathered  around  in  a  solid  column  of  human  life,  with 
groans  and  cries  of  "  Bring  him  out !  "  They  seemed  in  the  main 
good  liumored,  though  a  fcAV  of  the  rougher  ones  suggested  violence, 
but  crowds  are  dangerous  things  to  trust ;  their  tenderest  mercies 
ai'e  cruel,  and  one  might  as  safely  play  with  a  tiger  in  his  native 
jungle. 

Tlie  proprietor  of  the  store  turned  off  the  gas,  and  made  ])repara- 
tions  to  resist  a  siege,  when  Chief  Burke  came  cliarging  down  with 


29 

his  poiiv  and  a  ])()ss('  (if  Ihrci'  or  iDiir  olliccis. 

Ho  coinniiUKU'tl  tl\c  iJiojirictor  of  the  stoiv  to  li^lU  liis  j^as  and  as- 
suivd  him  tiicrc  would  Itc  no  daiiucr,  aiul  lie  rc((ii('stc(l  (he  crowil  to 
ch'iU' the  sid(>\v;ili<,  w  iiicli  \v;is  done  alter  ;i  f'.'isliion. 

[M(iri/f<rini'  .[i>j>(  <il^  FihriKirn  ~th^  ('orrrsponrhiic  .] 
Tiiic  CrintKNcY  (^rKSTiox  ix  a  Xi:\v  Shaim:. 

Mucli  lVolin<>-  was  excitod  hi  the  capitoI  yostorday  hy  the  ivports 
of  the  i)roceodiiijjjs  at  the  anti-repeal  nieetinji'  in  San  Francisco.  The 
violent  demonstrations  af>ainst  Sub-Treasurer  Cheesman  l)y  a  mob 
which  was  indecently  denouncing  the  curreircy  of  the  nation  went 
against  the  grain  of  all  (true)  Union  men.         -         -  •■' 

He  is  a  faithful  and  earnest  servant  of  tiie  (iovernment,  Secretary 
Chase's  bureau  rei)resentative  on  this  const,  and  lias  done  nothing  to 
deserve  the  hostility  of  loyal  men. 

They  must  have  been  Coj)perheads  wlio  cried  "  hang  him  I  "  and 
tried  to  trample  him  underfoot  and  would  have 

mobbed  Old  Abe  himself,  just  as  freely  as  iiis  friend  Cheesman. 

The  followiiiti'  extracts  from  the  Sacramento  Union  (ojipo.sed 
to  the  ro])eal)  of  Fehniaiy  8,  18G4,  need  no  explanation: 

Sax  Fraxcisco,  Fcbruarij  o,  ]«(j4. 

Dkar  Fkiexd  :  .Vs  you  will  see  from  the  papers  at  the  meeting 
last  evening  I  was  refused  a  hearing,  even  for  the  purpose  of  cor- 
recting errors  and  gross  misstatements,  <fec. 

As  this  question  has  not  been  properly  presented  by  any  speaker, 
so  far  as  I  am  aware,  in  this  State,  if  I  could  obtain  the  use  of  the 
Assemblj'  Chamber  on  Monday  evening  next  it  would  afford  me 
great  i:»leasure  to  present  views  which  I  have  on  the  currency  ques- 
tion, as  M'ell  asstatistical  information  on  the  currency  of  the  country, 
of  Avhich  no  other  jierson,  perhaps,  is  in  jiossession. 

Consult  Dr.  Buflum,  itc.  D.  W.  Chkk8MAX. 

J.  S.  Campbei.i.,  Es(].,  of  Eldora<lo. 

The  above  rc(|uest  \vas  gi-anted  by  the  following  vote: 
Ayes— Allen,  Alley,  Beaman,  Brown  of  Amader,  Butl'um,  Cami)- 
bell  of  San  Francisco,  Chappell,  Devoc,  Dodson,  Dow,  Frkson, 
Fraser,  Hubbard,  Hunt,  Hirst,  .Icinison,  Langdon,  Lux,  Owen, 
Parker,  Perley,  Bersonette,  Bhoades,  Scott  of  Almeda,  Smith  of 
Nevada,  Snyder,  Sumner,  Tukey,  Van  Louven,  Van  Scliaick , 
Walker  of  Almeda,  Wason,  AVilcox,  Wilsey,  AVinchcster— So. 

Noes— Badlani,  Boulware,  Brown  of  Tulare,  Cherry,  Clark,  Dick- 
inson, Dutton,  HittcU,  Hoag,  Johnson,  Kendrick,  Kewen,  Little- 
tield,  Martin,  Mebius,  Perrin,  Redtield,  Rule,  Sepulveda,  Smith  of 
Sonoma,  Teare,  Wlialon,  Wood — 28. 


.'506527 


30 


{From  tJic  Sacramento    Union  Fchriiarij  9,  1804.] 
ADimEss  OF  D.  W.  Chee.sman  on  Legal  Tenders. 

At  the  Assembly  Chamber  hist  evening  D.  W.  Cheesman,  of  San 
Francisco,  United  States  Sub-Treasurer,  addressed  a  crowded  audi  - 
ence,  about  a  quorum  of  the  Legislature  being  present,  on  the  subject 
of  the  United  States  legal  tender  currency,  and  the  proi^osed  repeal 
of  the  Specific  Contract  act. 

Ex-Governor  Stanford  was  chosen  President  of  the  meeting,  and 
said  he  had  come  like  the  rest  to  listen,  but  none  the  less  thanked 
the  meeting  for  the  honor.  E.  A.  Rockwell,  of  the  San  Francisco 
Call,  was  chosen  Secretary,  which  conipleted  the  organization. 
Cheesman  was  introduced  by  the  President,  and  entered  at  once 
upon  the  discussion  of  his  subject,  making  an  earnest,  fervid,  and' 
argumentative  speech.  -^  *  *  *  *  % 

The  following  telegrams  and  extract  are  from  the  Bulletin,  Feliru- 
ary  9,  (ojiposed  to  repeal) : 

SacFvAmento,  Cat..,  Fehruar,)/  G,  1804, 

To  Hon.  Salmon  P.  Chase, 

Secretary  of  Treasury,  Washington  City. 

Is  California's  gold  law  against  national  policy  ?  Repeal  proposed. 
Your  opinion  is  important.     Answer. 

Thompson  Campbell,  Assemblyman. 
E.  W.  Rop.ERTS,  Senator. 

[reply.] 

WASHiNcrroN,  February  8,  1804. 
To  Tho.mpson  Campbell  and  E.  W.  Roberts  : 

I  am  clearly  of  oiDinion  that  the  California  gold  law  is  against 
national  policy,  and  1  shall  be  much  gratified  to  see  California  de- 
clare herself  in  favor  of  one  currency  for  the  whole  people,  by  its 
I'epeal. 

S.  P.  Chase,  Secretary. 


It  is  likely  enough  now  that  the  bill  will  pass.  Two  or  three  Sen- 
ators who  were  against  repeal  are  said  to  have  had  their  convictions 
shaken  by  otticial  assurance  that  the  gold  law  is  considered  unfriendly 
to  the  national  currency.  Had  the  bill  been  put  on  its  i)assage  on 
Saturday  or  yesterday,  a  full  Senate  being  jiresent,  it  would  have 
been  defeated  ))y  a  majority  of  one.     Its  passage  by  a  majority  of 


31 

two  or  three  i?^  now  apprehended  and  predicted.  The  Hash  of  leelhi^ 
exeited  hy  ( 'heesnian's  sj)eeeh  and  jtresence,  tlu-  declaration  of  ( 'lias*- 
against  the  exislinj;-  law,  the  noisy  demonstrations  in  the  Asseniidy 
ahove  noted,  have  conihined  to  make  a  sort  oi'  J'to-o re  on  the  subject, 
whieli  seems  likely  to  prove  more  than  a  match  1'or  the  cool  tlnancial 
arguments  of  tlie  opposition  an<I  tlie  profi'sts  of  distant  (••mstitn- 
encies. 

[The  law  .still  iviuiiins  in  IbrcCj  lia\ing  ncvei'  I.H'an  repealed.] 


2  2  8  8         -^ 


UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA,  LOS  ANGELES 

THE  UNIVERSITY  LIBRARY 

This  book  is  DUE  on  the  last  date  stamped  below 


MOV  c    Met 

OV  3^^1949 

DEC  S  3  1949 
OCT  2  7 1952! 

|HC!V1''1952 

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